With school back in session, we asked our Facebook fans who are educators to share with us their best advice on how to develop a positive relationship with your child’s teacher. Read on for some great Teachers Tips for Parents:
Tip 1: Communicate
Email the teacher. Read emails that come home. Make sure teachers get your email! Trust that your child’s teacher wants what you want, the best for your child! Write dates down. Know when things are happening at school! Make sure the school/teacher has the correct contact info for you. If you change jobs mid year, get a new cell number, anything, make sure the school gets it. Don’t always trust your child to deliver the new info to the school. ~ Ashley Hanzlik Bruner
The easiest way for us to communicate is via email. We can’t call you throughout the day but we can email pretty quickly. Work with us to ensure your child gets the most out of school. Make sure you have an up-to-date phone number and email. Please respond to request for parent conferences even in middle school. ~ Frankie Casper
It is CRUCIAL that parents keep in contact with the teacher. For me, e-mail is the fastest and safest way. That way it is sent and even if you do not have time right when it comes in, it is a reminder that you need to respond. ~ Samantha Christensen
Parent conferences are a great way to find out how and what is going on with your child. A “how is she/he doing” conference is totally acceptable. Please do not wait until we send the notice home that you are needed. PLEASE come see us. ~ Samantha Christensen
Tip 2: Withhold judgement
Remember that there is always more to the story than what your child tells you. Give the teacher the courtesy of a conference before assuming that you have all the facts. ~ Katherine Walker
Give the teacher the benefit of the doubt. If you have a complaint, please tell the teacher before talking to the administrators or other parents. ~ Virginia Crutchfield
Remember that you and the teacher have the same goal — you both want to see your child succeed. Open communication is very important. The teacher has to feel comfortable in coming to you, just like you need to be comfortable in coming to the teacher. ~ Elizabeth Luna-Lewis
Remember we’re human. We do make mistakes, but so does everyone. Have open lines of communication ~ Rebecca Copeland Province
This Preschool Director agrees with everyone. Please give your teacher an opportunity to share with you. Children and even other parents don’t always get the entire story. Communicate and communicate. Email is the most wonderful thing! ~ Debi Van Noy
Don’t talk about your child’s teacher in front of your child. You don’t want them to hear your negative comments about someone they have to spend so much time with each day! Remember reachers are human and they will make mistakes, but most teachers truely care about your child and want them to succeed! ~ Kelly DeMarino
Trust! Trust! And more trust! However…not “blind trust”. Get to know your child’s teacher so you can trust them! When your teacher has a trusted reputation, there is no need for offensive measures when your student comes home with their complaints. Schedule a conference at the teacher’s convenience and talk to your teacher with respect and confidence for their love and COMMITTMENT to your student! They will definitely be more prone to help you with any concerns as long as you remain calm. Never burn a bridge for it may be needed at a later date! I can guarantee you, the teachers of today are certainly doing this job for the betterment of the child and definitely not for the pay. I totally appreciate when a parent treats me with trust and respect and supports my decision which is always in the child’s best interest! ~ Angela Anderson
Tip 3: Show your appreciation
I was a high school teacher, and I must say we are the “forgotten group” when it comes to teachers gifts. Give some love to your high school teachers! ~ Natalie Adams Keller
Tip 4: Be courteous
Please do not show up at school unannounced. Teachers have meetings and work after school. If you show up, they may miss a meeting or something they had planned. I’ve never been “happy” to see a parent just show up. Luckily, I have nothing to hide, but it always made me feel like the parent was trying to “catch” me doing something wrong. If your child is a teen, quit being a “helicopter” mom. Give your child a chance to grow. ~ Laura Smith Solomon
Unexpected conferences are not fair to anyone. You may have just a quick question, but the teacher may be trying to conduct class, getting prepared to go outside or even go home. She needs to be able to have 100 percent of her focus on all the children! ~ Debi Van Noy
Please do not text your children while they are at school. We are trying to teach them. ~ Devon Lassetter
Tip 5: Be involved
Get involved. Volunteer at the school. There’s always something that needs to be done. Join the PTA. ~ Christy McNamara
Stay in contact with your child’s teacher and get involved in your child’s education! ~ Tarita Towns Conway
Team Work- work with your child’s teacher to assure your child reaches their potential. When parents and teachers are on the same page, children are not able to play them against each other. Communicate any and everything that will help us to help your child have productive school days. Lastly, show your child support by getting involved in his/her education. Something as simple as helping with homework or volunteering in the classroom/school goes a long way. ~ Dee Stephens
We thought Rebecca Katsulis Gundersen summarized it nicely:
- Email your child’s teachers
- Check up with your child’s homework
- Go to Open House
- Check the teacher’s website
- KNOW your child’s friends. Have them at your house. It says a lot about your child in who they choose as friends
- Teach your child to care for themselves and others
- Ask if they need school supplies at least once a month
- Talk to your children about school
- Go over the homework with them
- Help them with projects—kids love when you get involved
- Celebrate all accomplishments
- Send a positive email to a teacher when you are happy with what they are doing
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